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Replace with the cover PDF Editorial OCTOBER 2016 Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Frontier Ventures Dear Praying Friends, 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (626) 398-2249 [email protected] Have you ever looked over EDITOR-IN-CHIEF the tropical waters during Keith Carey a bright, sunny day? It is ASSISTANT EDITOR so bright that you are often Paula Fern forced to close your eyes; WRITERS you must view darkness, you Patricia Depew can’t take in any more light. Patti Ediger In our natural spiritual state, we are much like this. Wesley Kawato Ben Kluett We can only take so much of the light of truth. Arlene Knickerbocker Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj It is much like what we see in 2 Chronicles 7:1- Christopher Lane 3, NIV. “When Solomon finished praying, fire Annabeth Lewis Karen Hightower came down from heaven and consumed the burnt Ted Proffitt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lydia Reynolds Jeff Rockwell LORD filled the temple. The priests could not Jean Smith enter the temple of the LORD because the glory Jane W. Sveska of the LORD filled it. When all the Israelites saw Chun Mei Wilson DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD Keith Carey above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with David Dougherty their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and Robert Rutz

gave thanks to the LORD, saying, ‘He is good; his CUSTOMER SERVICE love endures forever.’” Dan Eddy Lois Carey The fire provided the light, and the children of GRAPHICS Israel could see and experience His glory. They Garrett Inouye

responded by worshiping and giving Him thanks. PRINTER As you pray for the unreached Muslim people Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA groups of southern , , and the WEB SITE Maldive Islands, pray that they will see and re- www.globalprayerdigest.org spond to His light. Each day our Bible verses will ISSN 1045-9731 reflect this theme. Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2016 Frontier Ventures In Christ, 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. For subscription information, call (626) 398-2249. For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241. 46 Editorial Feature of the Month

Pray for a Church Planting Movement Among Every Muslim People in Tropical South Asia

Arabian Bay of Sea Bengal

Andhra Pradesh

K er ala

SRI LANKA

47 To Help You Pray Better The Maldives: A Land Where the Gospel is Viewed as a Threat

—by Wesley Kawato

f you look at a globe you could easily miss the Maldive Islands. They are so small that maps often don’t include them. This former British protectorate is located in the IIndian Ocean, just south of Sri Lanka and southern India. The Republic of the Maldives includes a grouping of 1200 islands with a total land area of 300 square kilometers. Only about 440,000 people live on these islands, making the Maldives one of the smallest countries in the world. Hundreds of cities in our world have a larger population than this entire country. Yet their capital, Malé, packs so many people into so few acres that the Republic of the Maldives is the second most densely populated island nation on Earth.

Why care about a nation that is so small? We who follow Christ care because God cares. No people group is exempted from the reach of the loving-kindness of Jesus Christ. Maldivians live under subjection to spiritual forces and spirit beings that are in rebellion against Christ. Before He returns, we must pray them into His kingdom. And His word Background 48 The Maldives clearly tells us that there must be some from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping Him before He returns.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10, NIV). From Buddhism to

People from Sri Lanka and what is now southern India settled the Maldive Islands prior to the 5th Century BC. These early settlers were Dravidian goddess worshipers and Buddhists.

Around 1153 AD a Muslim missionary named Abu Al Barakat sailed to the Maldives and converted almost the entire population to . No one knows how long it took him to do that. We also don’t know if all of these conversions were sincere. It is possible that small groups of people continued to worship as Buddhists in secret, at least for a while. Such secret worship ended when a group of Buddhist monks, who had refused conversion, were beheaded.

Most of what we know about Barakat’s activities comes from the writings of , who visited the Maldives in the 1340s. That was about 200 years after these events had taken place. By then the activities of Abu Al Barakat may have become semi-legendary. But what’s important is that each year, on the first day of the Islamic month of Rab’ al-thani, the Maldives celebrates Conversion Day. This national holiday reminds the people of the Maldives of the reputed collective decision in A.D. 1153 to embrace Sunni Islam. This event affects the psyche of the Maldives to this day.

Yet pre-Islamic beliefs don’t die out easily in this island nation. One observer who lived there for years points out that people get dogmatically attached to various forms of folk Islam that violate the teachings of the Qur’an. Today the local people in the Republic of the Maldives are almost entirely unreached by the gospel and uninterested in spiritual answers that could lead to salvation and an abundant life.

continued on next page 49 The Maldives

Colonial Powers and Rocky Democracy

During the 1500s briefly ruled the Maldives. A century later the Maldives became a Dutch protectorate. The British expelled the Dutch in 1796, and these islands more or less maintained internal autonomy. In 1887 an agreement with the British brought formal recognition of the Maldivian statehood with protected status under Great Britain. That year the Maldives became a British protectorate.

The British allowed an Islamic sultan to rule the Maldives. At first the sultans were absolute rulers. They could do anything that didn’t offend the British. In 1953 the British established a republic in the Maldives, including a written constitution and election of a president and parliament, but these institutions quickly collapsed. By early 1954 the sultan had regained absolute power.

In 1965 the Maldives became independent. In 1968 the sultanate was abolished and a second republic was established. In 1978 Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected the country’s president. He ruled for 30 years. For all practical purposes Gayoom ruled as a dictator.

In 2008 the Maldives wrote a new constitution and held its first multi- candidate presidential election. Mohamed Nasheed was elected president, driving Gayoom from power. This peaceful revolution brought a short season of democracy to the Maldives. Recent Developments

Nasheed’s political enemies engineered his forced resignation in February of 2012 after he arrested a judge who opposed his policies. In the 2013 presidential election Nasheed received the most votes among four contenders, but not a majority, forcing a run-off. Yameen Abdul Gayoom, half brother of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was elected president. Since then he has moved the Maldives in an increasingly hard- line Islamic direction, possibly to gain favor with wealthy Saudi Arabia. But taking the Maldives towards a more orthodox form of Islam has its downside; the country is becoming a breeding ground for ISIS terrorists. Today it is estimated that some 200 Maldivian citizens are fighting in Syria for ISIS or ISIS allies.

5050 The Maldives

Prayer Requests • Pray that the current problems with Islamic militants will give Maldivians an incentive to seek true righteousness and holiness. • Pray for a strong disciple-making movement among the Divehi- speaking Maldivians. (Divehi is the official Maldivian language) • Life is difficult for Maldivian followers of Christ, estimated at only a few dozen. A person who converts to another faith loses his citizenship. Pray that these believers would be protected from persecution. • Because of the high cost of betrayal, most Maldivian followers of Jesus are afraid to meet with other believers. Ask God to break through the spirit of fear to enable people to gather for fellowship and spiritual growth. • Discriminatory laws make it difficult for Christ’s ambassadors to gain a hearing in the Maldives. For example, it’s against the law for a non- citizen to invite a citizen to a non-Islamic worship service, which must be held discreetly in private. The penalty for that “crime” could range from expulsion to fines to a long prison sentence depending on the judge who hears the case. There is also a law forbidding the importation or distribution of non-Islamic religious literature. Ask God to establish freedom of religion in the Maldives. • Right now the Maldives are a stronghold of Satan, but concerted prayer can bring dramatic change. Pray that one day soon a community of Christ followers will be established in the Maldive Islands.

51 Day 1 Matthew 5:14-16, NIV Missionary Biography, Mobin Khan

You are the light of the obin Khan was born world. A town built on a hill and brought up in cannot be hidden. Neither aM Sunni Muslim family in Arabian Bay of do people light a lamp and Sea Bengal , India. He was put it under a bowl. Instead taught how to read the Qur’an in Arabic. Although they put it on its stand, and NEPAL many languages are spoken it gives light to everyone in Varanasi the house. In the same way, in India, Arabic is not one Jharkhand of these. Later, Mobin was let your light shine before sent to a Muslim discipleship others, that they may see Chhattisgarh Odisha Bay of program. While studying your good deeds and glorify Bengal there, he learned about Allah, your Father in heaven. mankind, the holy angels, the prophets and the sacred Intercessor, as you soak scriptures. His teacher said that God sent mankind in the ways of Jesus, the four holy books: (1) the Tawrat (Torah), given to the Light of the World, praying prophet Moses; (2) the Zabur (the book of Psalms), for the people around the given to the prophet David; (3) the Injil (Gospel), world without the light, given to the prophet Jesus; and (4) the Qur’an, given many people you meet to the prophet Mohammed. Mobin remembers will see His light shining telling his teacher, “So far, you have taught us only through you. You can send the fourth book, the Qur’an. When will you teach the light to the unreached nations, and shine His light us the other three?” But he answered, “The others in your own neighborhood. are with the Jews and Christians.” And Mobin, Is there anything about this not yet six, thought, “The Jews and Christians have not to like? something which do not have.” So he asked his teacher, “Could you get those books for me? Since they are God’s books, I want to read them.” But his teacher answered, “No, because the Jews and the Christians changed them.”—AL

Pray that Muslim teachers in India will learn to value the Injil and teach it in the mosques.

52 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued Psalm 139:11-12, NIV

While in college, Mobin was also in training to If I say, “Surely the darkness become a commissioned officer in the Indian army. At will hide me and the light that time he met a Christian officer. One night the become night around me,” Christian shared the gospel with Mobin. But Mobin, even the darkness will not a Muslim, was not at all convinced. He was shocked be dark to you; the night at the words with which his friend concluded his will shine like the day, for witness to him: “If you die, you will go to hell. If I die, darkness is as light to you. I will go to heaven because I believe in Jesus.” In the morning, Mobin went back and asked the Christian God is light in such a big way to repeat once again what he had shared. Thinking that the night shines like a that the witness of someone else might be more bright, sunny day! Pray for persuasive, the officer went to get another Christian the Muslim peoples we pray friend. But he refused to come. “Listen, you’re just for this month to believe this, wasting your time,” he said. “Don’t you know? Mobin and flee to the light of Christ. is a Muslim. He’ll never become a Christian.” But the officer decided to at least give Mobin a New Testament. At that time Mobin did not know that the New Testament was a part of the Bible or he would never have accepted it. He came to Romans 5:8, KJV, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The words struck deep, and he gave his heart to Christ in 1968.—AL

Pray that Muslims throughout India will respond to the powerful words of the Bible.

53 Day 3 Matthew 17:2, NIV Muslims from India to Share Jesus with Others

There he was transfigured obin knew that God had chosen him to before them. His face minister His gospel to Muslims. He now shone like the sun, and wantedM to prepare himself to serve the Lord, so he his clothes became as earned a Ph.D. from the University of Poona in white as the light. India, and then came to the US where he earned his Doctorate in Missiology at Fuller Seminary. His As you continue to pray for wife Gladys also accepted God’s call for missions and the harvesters, just keep earned an M.A. from the University of Poona as well abiding with Him on the as a Masters in Missiology. mountain, in your secret Out of curiosity, Mobin and Gladys looked up their place, seated with Him name in the phone directory. To their amazement, in the heavenly places, they found there were about 20 other “Khans.” in His word ... that’s how Realizing that they would also be of Muslim He lights you up. Then background, they sent each one a gospel tract. Soon through you, He lights up they had sent tracts to Muslims throughout Southern the senders and harvesters California as well as in other metropolitan areas. He has you praying for. They received a phone directory for Fiji, and there That’s how He lights up was an amazingly favorable response to the tracts the whole world’s harvest they sent Muslims in that island country. Eventually fields through you! the Khans mailed specially worded gospel tracts to Muslims in 75 countries. Mobin continues to work with Global Recordings Network, helping them to provide clear evangelistic materials for unreached people. Their work testifies as to what can happen when a Muslim truly surrenders to the Almighty.—AL from Christian Missions in Many Lands, and A Testimony, by M. Mobin Khan.

Pray that the tracts sent out will bear fruit even today.

54 Day 4 Tamil Speaking Muslims John 3:19-20, NIV

hahina finished the This is the verdict: Light preparations in the modern has come into the world, Skitchen of her large home. She but people loved darkness Arabian Bay of Sea Bengal then donned the burqa to cover instead of light because her skin and form from head their deeds were evil. to toe in preparation for male Everyone who does evil Andhra Pradesh guests. As a Karnataka hates the light, and will woman, she practices the not come into the light for K er Tamil Nadu tradition of covering herself ala fear that their deeds will before all but family and other be exposed. SRI women; so while she serves her LANKA husband’s business guests, she No one wants their evil will remain veiled. Shahina deeds to be exposed, so soon placed a tray of sumptuous meats and delicacies it is easier to try to hide on the plush floor covering before the men. them by remaining in the Some Tamil speaking Muslims like Shahina are dark. It takes a certain kind descendants of Arab traders. Many in the 21st century of spiritual courage to say, are urban traders and entrepreneurs. There are “enough!” to sin, and step into hundreds of millionaires and at least one billionaire the light where our sin will be included in this Tamil speaking community. exposed to the Holy One.

While wealth and education increase, the three Pray that the Tamil speaking million Tamil speaking Muslims sit among their Muslims will have this diamonds and precious wares without the very thing spiritual courage to step into that would give them what their wealth cannot: the light. eternal life. There is not one known follower of Christ among this group, which is actually only grouped together because of their language and religion. Tamil speakers from a Muslim background are not as responsive as ones from a Hindu background.

Pray that as these urban traders do business throughout the world, Christ’s followers will be bold to share the truth of the Lord and His most valuable gift of salvation. As the Bible says, what does it gain a man if he has the whole world, yet does not have eternal life?—PE

55 Day 5 2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV Bohra People

For God, who said, “Let ina stuffed the fold of her sari into her mouth light shine out of darkness,” to keep from screaming. Hot tears wet her face, made His light shine in our Mand she felt as if blackness would overtake her. The hearts to give us the light cries of her young daughter, just 11 last month, rang of the knowledge of God’s in her ears, “Mommy, help me Mommy!” Mina held glory displayed in the face on to the bedpost to keep herself from running to the helpless girl. She prayed to a god that wasn’t there, of Christ. and knew in her heart that there was no help for her Think about this: He has daughter, just as there had been no help for her at that seated your spirit with same age. Christ in the heavenly The one million Bohra people are divided between places; you are continually Sunni and Shi’ite communities. Ninety percent of beholding His face there; Shi’ite Bohra women are victims of the ritual and God’s glory is displayed in trauma of genital mutilation. The non-traditional His face; God makes His bright green joyful burqas worn by Bohra women light shine in our hearts; belie the terrible secret that affects most of them. and we now both know and Successful in both education and business, the Bohra reflect the light of His glory. are among the wealthiest of the Indian communities; Again, what is there not to yet so many suffer physically and spiritually. like? Rejoice in what He is doing by producing the light Pray that the veil will be lifted from the eyes of all Bohras, that He shares with you! and they will see that success in worldly business and education is worth nothing when compared to the richness of knowing Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit will woo them and cause a hunger in their hearts to know Christ personally. Pray also that God will quicken the hearts of Christ’s servants to go to the Bohra people and bring them spiritual freedom through Jesus.—PE

56 Day 6 Memon People Ephesians 5:8, NIV

agee swept his hand toward the sea of new For you were once darkness, homes. “See the 72 new homes we have built for but now you are light in Hthe poor along with a community center.” He turned the Lord. Live as children towards the reporters and visitors. “Our association of light. also gives finances to promising students, and we underwrite medical camps for rural areas.” As he left What do you and your the area Hagee twisted the diamond and gold ring on friends know about your his little finger and carefully stepped around mud and Father of Lights? What do debris to avoid soiling his gleaming leather shoes. you know about living as The visitors returned to Hagee’s modern glass and steel children of light? How can showroom where luxurious fabrics were presented you help those for whom from floor to ceiling. There they were treated to you are interceding to live sumptuous delicacies in a place where deals were as children of light? Living made each day to send flowing textiles to every corner as mature believers is great, of the earth. but receiving His Kingdom and everything in it as little There are about one half million Memon people, many children may be something in southern India. Known for their success in business we have forgotten how to and notable for their charitable works, they are highly do. A child might ask these regarded among the people of India. However, they questions as, “Are we having are 100 percent Muslim and live and work in a bubble fun yet?” For you, is living in of fantasy, believing their deeds are a pass to paradise. light still a delight? Has anyone told them that Jesus offers so much more?

Pray that because Bohras are now dealing with traders throughout the world, Christian businessmen will share faith in Jesus. Pray that the will be relieved of the heavy burden of sin by accepting the only remedy that allows cleansing and forgiveness, Jesus Christ. Pray that they will receive Him and offer what they learn to their Memon family and friends.—PE

57 Day 7 Job 24:16, NIV GRN ministry in Andhra Pradesh

In the dark, thieves break heed frowned. “We Lambadi people were into houses, but by day they once Hindu, but we were forcibly converted to shut themselves in; they Islam.”A Jamal shook his head. “That was a long time want nothing to do with ago. Now if someone wants to change their religion, the light. they are accused of upsetting the harmony of the community. Do you remember Ayesha? She taught Most of the people described the Qur’an to the girls and women in her village. A in this article prefer the few years ago, when she began to follow Christ, a comfortable, but dark group of militant Muslims along with her own son, spirituality that allows Shaike, smashed up her small store where she used for violence to be used to to sell grocery items and glass bangles.” “And don’t force people to adhere to forget Ishak and his wife Nasim,” added Aheed. religious teachings based “They decided to follow Jesus and were rejected by on obedience to rules their own parents and relatives. Their neighbors even and politically powerful spat on them, abused and insulted them many times.” individuals. But God has Jamal looked at his friend. “But why are you talking something much better for about this now?” Aheed drew him aside and spoke those who are willing to step softly. “Because I have been listening to a recording into the light. my cousin gave me about Jesus. He talks about peace, Pray for the Lambadi people not violence.” Jamal whispered back, “Then you had to boldly step into the light, better be very careful whom you tell, or you’ll be in a and embrace the one who is lot of trouble.” the father of light. Pray for the Lambadi and 20 other language groups like them in Andhra Pradesh, south India, held captive by Islam. Ask the Lord to open the door for them to hear and respond to the gospel messages prepared in their language by Global Recordings Network.—Allan Starling (GRN)

58 Day 8 in Tamil Nadu 1 Peter 2:9, NIV

(The following is a story that illustrates the typical life style But you are a chosen among this people group.) people, a royal priesthood, Satuch remained bowed to the floor on his knees as he a holy nation, God’s special repeated Muslim prayers learned as a child from his possession, that you father. His mind wandered to the anticipated evening may declare the praises festivities at the temple where would make of him who called you vows to their gods for good fortune in the coming year. out of darkness into His Approximately 3,500 people live in Tamil wonderful light. Nadu, India. It is a Persian based ethnic community in Intercessors, He has called India. They are not vegetarian, but given their Muslim you to display His wonderful background, they do not eat pork. light in the darkness where The Pinjara name means, “cotton weaver.” Their you are. Ask the lord of the traditional occupation is cleaning and reeling cotton harvest to connect you with to make pillows, quilts, and mattresses. Many Pinjara other children of light who have small and medium sized farms and live in multi- are His chosen people, royal caste villages. Others manage small shops. They occupy priesthood, holy nation, and both skilled and unskilled occupations. Less than God’s special possession as a one percent of them are reported to be literate. Their special forces team storming primary language is though others speak the gates of hell to set free or Arabic. those the Lamb has paid for! There is very little ministry activity focused on the He has nothing better to do Pinjara people. Many Urdu Scripture resources are than to answer such prayers! available, although the Pinjaras need oral materials, and there is a severe lack of Christian workers for this sizeable group. There is no known Christian witness among them.

Pray that the one true and living God will send harvest laborers with broken hearts to the Pinjara people. Pray that they will do whatever it takes to reach the Pinjaras. Pray the Pinjaras will see their desperate need for the Savior. Pray for oral materials for this community.—KH

59 Day 9 James 1:17, RSV Muslim in Tamil Nadu

Every good endowment and o help minimize the struggles his family faced every perfect gift is from after losing his father, Nayak decided to take up above, coming down from Tthe laundry business at an early age. He is a graduate the Father of lights with of the University of Madras, and is among those whom there is no variation chosen by the Laundry Project of India for its career- or shadow due to change. uplifting project. The Hindu, a Tamil Nadu based newspaper, reported As you pray the Lord of that the partnership will brand and update the the harvest to raise up launderer’s business and help him increase earnings intercessors, establish by branching out to hospitals and other institutions. senders, and send The article said, “They can be seen on every other harvesters, what good street corner, under the shade of an avenue tree. They endowments and perfect literally brighten up our lives.” gifts might you ask from your Father of Light to In general their attitude towards education is good, assist you in finishing His and literacy in some parts of India is higher than in harvest? Take care that other Muslim communities. Their caste is considered you do not ask too small: “untouchable.” There are no castes in Islam itself, but John Newton’s song still the Hindu based caste system affects Indian Muslims. sings to our hearts, “Thou It is very difficult to rise above long-standing customs, art coming to a King! Large but times are changing. petitions with thee bring!” The Muslim population in Tamil Nadu is estimated at 3800. Some are Hindu, while others are Sikh or Muslim, but all Dhobi communities are unreached. There are no known followers of Christ among them. Their primary language is Urdu. Printed, visual, and audio Scripture resources are available, but there are no workers to present them to the Dhobi peoples.

Pray that the Father of Lights, the Savior of the Dhobi people, will make Himself known to these people groups, bringing light into their lives.—KH

60 Day 10 Ansaris in Tamil Nadu 1 Thessalonians 5:5, NIV

(This story illustrates the attitudes of this people group.) You are all children of the heram, an Ansari patriarch, said, “We have lived in light and children of the day. this house for generations. Our relatives live on this We do not belong to the Sstreet. Family members work together in the weaving night or to the darkness. business, and our children grow up together. Allah has blessed us; we even have our own mosque up the street. Child of light, you cannot Allah has taught us to do good deeds. This may allow avoid darkness, because us some day to be in paradise.” the god of this world has made it unavoidable. So The Ansari population in Tamil Nadu is around 30,000. live in light, live in Jesus, They are primarily artisans by trade; mostly poor and the light of the world, and pre-literate. The weaving of silk is a common trade you will continuously attack skill for them, although Ansaris are involved in a wide the darkness, defeat the range of small businesses. They often trade with Dari darkness, overcome the tailors and other Muslim merchants. Ansari women darkness, and obliterate are noted for wearing bangles and beads. In some the darkness with the communities, they wear glass bangles, signifying that knowledge of His light, until they are married. the darkness has no place The Ansaris widely accept food and drink from other left to hide! communities, signifying they are lower in the caste system. They practice Islamic laws, though folk Islamic practices are common among them. Though Christian resources abound in their Urdu language, there are almost no followers of the Lord Jesus among them.

Pray that Ansari people will come to see that their good deeds and friendliness will not be enough to give them a place in paradise. Pray that clear witnesses, disciplers, and church planters will soon move among them, establishing them in the truth of God’s word.—KH

61 Day 11 Genesis 1:3, NIV Pashtun (aka,Pathan) People

And God said, “Let there be oday the Pathans are light,” and there was light. Sunni Muslims. In Tpast centuries they were Muslims like the Pathan under strict control of people know that God is Hindu Brahmins, and the creator of all they see. later by harsh Buddhists. Creation is an area where A major Muslim group we can heartily agree with in South Asia, Pathans Muslims. The differences Pathans are better known in emerge when we consider Afghanistan as , the character of God and where they have much more power. Their presence what He wants from us. Pray in India dates from an invasion from their original that the Pathans throughout home in Afghanistan in the 11th Century. Some call South Asia will realize that the Pathans the “Tigers of the Muslim community” since God is light, they must because they are among the fiercest fighters the world step into His light to know has ever known. They are much more than warriors. the truth. Pray that the truth The Pathans have a great ability in the arts: dance, will set them free from sin. music, and especially poetry. Many Pathans are salesmen, money-lenders, government leaders, and soldiers. Those who live in southern India must speak a variety of languages to conduct business. They would probably speak Urdu with some clients, and a local language like Tamil with others. Among Pathan friends they will use their own Pashto language. In India’s southern states this proud people group has no tie to the greatest leader who ever lived! Jesus Christ is a virtual stranger to these 11.5 million people who embraced Islam centuries ago. What possibilities could be realized by praying earnestly for the Pathan people? Will you help make spiritual awakening possible by praying today?

Ask God to use the small band of Pathan believers to soften hearts for Jesus. Ask the Lord to personally birth disciples through the Internet among the Pathan.—ED

62 Day 12 Hajam People Psalm 44:3, NIV

o you remember your last It was not by their sword haircut? What do you discuss that they won the land, nor withD your barber? The Hajam have Arabian Bay of did their arm bring them Bengal Sea two unique abilities: hair and small victory; it was your right talk. Many Hajam are hair stylists, hand, your arm, and the and that gives them access to light of your face, for you speak with people from the whole NEPAL loved them. Uttar of Indian society no matter what Pradesh Patna Bihar caste or religious community. The Hajam people, or any Jharkhand Read 2 Kings 5 and note other people group for that

Chhattisgarh Jamshedpur the captured slave girl who matter, can claim God’s influenced her anti-god world. love and favor just by being She was like Mirjam, a young willing to step into the light. hairdresser in Bihar state who Pray that the Hajam people spoke of Christ to the governor’s wife in Patna. This will step into God’s light and influential woman was complaining to this Hajam bask in His eternal love. hairdresser, “My husband is working too hard! gets more tax money, yet does nothing to provide services to us in Bihar.” Mirjam sought to show her client how much Christ cares for them. She asked the woman, “Has he prayed about this? Do you think God will reveal his answer if we ask him?” The influential customer replied, “God is too busy to care about stress at the capital.” Mirjam knows she is getting close, though her client will not admit it. The Hajam people have deep and ancient ties with Sunni Muslims throughout India. Over two million Hajam reside in India; others are elsewhere. There is virtually no known ministry among this group.

Pray for faithful people to have contact with the Hajam. Pray that the Lord will send His Word to Hajam’s spiri- tual leaders. Pray that the Lord shows them Jesus in their dreams.—ED

63 Day 13 Isaiah 58:8, NIV People in India

Then your light will break hey are the cutters – slaughterers of animals forth like the dawn, and purveyors of meat. Spread throughout and your healing will IndiaT and the surrounding areas, the Qassab quickly appear; then your people, a name that literally means “to cut,” are a righteousness will go professional caste that fills the role of the butcher before you, and the glory wherever they can be found. of the LORD will be your The Qassab are a Sunni Muslim people. The codes of rear guard. Islam guide many aspects of their lives, and they are not open to contact with other religions – they will not The Qassab people depend even accept food or water from Hindu communities. on their own righteousness There are close to 1.5 million Qassab people in the and obedience to the Qur’an nations of India and , and they speak Urdu, to gain God’s favor. But though the Qassab people of India are conversant in to those willing to allow Hindi as well. Him to teach them, God offers healing and true Out of these 1.5 million, almost none have heard righteousness. Pray for the the gospel, and fewer still have accepted it. While Qassab people to turn to Him there has been some level of church planting amongst and allow His light to break the Qassab, there has been little progress towards forth in their communities. reaching the community as a whole, due both to the spread-out nature of the people group, and the resistance of the Sunni Muslim worldview.

Pray that Jesus would reveal himself to the Qassab people through His Word and through dreams and visions. Pray that they would encounter the Lord in powerful ways. Pray that the gospel would take root and spread through a church planting movement, and that the Qassab people would become witnesses to every community in which they live and work. Pray for changed hearts, changed lives, and freedom from fear, law, and death.—BK

64 Day 14 Qassab People in India People Psalm 56:13, NIV

nassuming, though quietly For you have delivered me remarkable, the Mappila from death and my feet Upeople have been inhabiting the from stumbling, that I may Arabian Bay of Sea Bengal Indian state of for more walk before God in the light than a millennium. Now one of life. of the largest Islamic groups Wealthy people groups Karnataka in this southwestern state, the Mappila adopted their Islamic seldom know that they are in need. With their physical K Tamil Nadu er religion from Arab traders and ala merchants as early as the seventh needs met, they are easily century AD. With an estimated deceived into believing that population of close to nine they need nothing. Pray million, the Mappila Muslim for wealthy Muslim people population is greater than 22 of groups in South Asia to the 44 Muslim majority countries in the world. realize that the only way to walk in the light is to look to In addition to the Mappila in Kerala, there is a Jesus Christ. significant diaspora throughout India and notably in the . Those who are employed in the wealthy Middle Eastern nations send earnings home, making Kerala one of India’s main contributors to foreign exchange. The Mappila have a clear identity and have a significant social presence. They have developed well economically over the years, and interact well with other cultures. There are resources available in their own language, including the Bible, but very few have responded to the gospel.

Pray that the Mappilas will encounter the Lord in dreams and visions, and that Christ’s witnesses would boldly proclaim the gospel with demonstrations of the Spirit’s power. Pray that a strong Mappila church would rise up. Pray that the Mappilas would catch hold of the Father’s heart, and that they would spread the gospel everywhere they go. Pray also that the hearts and minds of India’s governmental and religious leaders would be opened to the gospel.—BK 65 Day 15 Job 24:13, NIV People in India

There are those who rebel (This fictitious encounter is intended to explain the beliefs of against the light, who do this people group). not know its ways or stay in ou are telling me about Jesus?” the elderly Sayyid its paths. man asked angrily. “I know all about Jesus. He is a “prophet.Y Perhaps I should tell you about him.” Though what we have above is a fictitious story, it The missionary, a young man visiting Kerala for two illustrates something about weeks with his church youth group, hesitated. Back many Muslim people groups. home in Denver, he often shared the gospel with Believing they have all the people he met at school, in the store, at the gas spiritual answers, they are station… He had become comfortable explaining the unwilling to step into the basics of the gospel and even responding to questions. light of the truth given to us But he had never witnessed to a Muslim. And he had by Christ. Pray for spiritual never encountered a Sayyid. discernment for the Muslim “Do you know who we are? We are Sayyid – ‘masters’ peoples of South Asia, and of the faith. We are descended from Abu Talib. Do that they will seek and find you know who Abu Talib was?” Before the young man the lighted path of the Lord. could answer, he said, “You know nothing about the faith.” The American babbled, “I just wanted to show you…” “You wanted to show me your ignorance. You have done a fine job of that!” The Sayyid people have a long history in Islam. They understand Jesus to be a prophet, but not the Son of God. Sharing the truth with them will require an investment in relationships and the development of trust.

Pray for the Lord to raise up missionaries who will patiently preach and demonstrate God’s love among the . Pray for the hearts of this people group to be open to Christ.—CL

66 Day 16 Shaikhs in India Psalm 27:1, NIV

(This fictitious dialogue is The LORD is my light and intended to explain the beliefs of my salvation—whom this people group.) shall I fear? The LORD is the Arabian Bay of Bengal Sea ather, why do we keep stronghold of my life—of coming here?” the 10-year- whom shall I be afraid?

a “F ashtr old boy asked as his father led Odisha him toward the tomb. The Notice that the verse . father responded, “I have told describes the Lord as our

nataka r light and salvation. No one Ka Andhra you this before. We are paying Pradesh our respects to the . He was a else, no matter how holy a holy saint of Islam, and we need life they might have lived, his help.” The boy asked, “How can be our light. Pray for can he help us if he is dead?” the Muslims of South Asia The father turned his head quickly to stare at the to look to the Lord Jesus as boy before responding, “Don’t be disrespectful! He light, and none other. deserves our homage and will honor our request and intercede for us. This is part of our heritage. We are Muslims. We are Shaikhs.” The word shaikh is Arabic for “elder” or “chief.” Historically, the Shaikhs were among the first people to accept Islam. Those who settled in India are in a caste below the Sayyid. Nearly three million Shaikhs live in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The Bible is available in their primary language of Urdu, along with audio recordings and the JESUS Film. Yet very few of the Shaikhs have responded to the gospel message.

Pray for the Shaikhs of Andhra Pradesh to have the oppor- tunity to hear a clear and meaningful presentation of the good news. Pray for the eyes of their hearts to be enlight- ened so they can know the unique hope of Christ. Ask God to establish His Kingdom among the Shaikhs.—CL

67 Day 17 Psalm 43:3, NIV Madiga People

Send me your light and rom birth to death, the Madigas are there your faithful care, let them when the people need them. People wear lead me; let them bring me “Fthe slippers they make. They go into a trance in to your holy mountain, to festivals to the earthy rhythms drummed up by the the place where you dwell. Madigas. Madigas are there till the end when the mortal remains are consigned to the flames. We The Madigas are frequently ensure a decent exit for people and cattle from this rejected by people, but they world. Yet, we are treated as untouchables even are loved by the Almighty by the untouchables. What justice is this?” asked One who offers them light Lelle Suresh, Dalit activist heading a Dalit cultural and faithful care. Pray that resource center in Andhra Pradesh, India. they will have the faith to cast off religion and accept Each person who is scorned by society has his or the light and loving-kindness her own response to such treatment. As one of of the Lord. the largest scheduled castes in India, the Madiga untouchables have responded in various ways to centuries of scorn. Some Madiga men continually craft fine leatherwork, yet are not acknowledged for their craftsmanship. Some Madiga youth develop their skills on computers to escape discrimination. (The person on the other computer screen doesn’t know about their untouchable background.) Other Madigas seek education, and then wish to erase their Madiga identity. A handful of Madigas have turned to Christianity as an escape from the scorn. Most, however, seek comfort in either Hinduism or Islam. But with the current Hindu extremist government, the Madigas cannot hide in other religions without a cost.

Pray that the Madigas will shed the shame they carry, stop hiding in religions, and embrace their identity in Christ.—LR

68 Day 18 Navait People Acts 26:18, NIV

aves soothingly lapped at the nearby beach, …to open their eyes and barely audible to Supra as he watched a turn them from darkness BollywoodW movie with his wife. He jumped up to light, and from the and stood in front of her when the front door burst power of Satan to God, open with a loud crack. Three policemen entered so that they may receive and announced, “We’re sorry to disturb you, but forgiveness of sins and a your son who disappeared while working in Saudi place among those who are Arabia is now a prime terror suspect. He’s pledged sanctified by faith in me. allegiance to ISIS, and we must search your home for explosives.” This verse from the book The quiet Navait community, where each road of Acts tells us once again had its own soccer or cricket team, had seen this that the gospel must shed before. Dwelling in coastal communities along spiritual light to all nations. India’s southern shores, some Navait (also known Pray that light will soon as ) people are thought to perhaps shine in the hearts of the be descended from Iraqi traders who fled from Navait people of India. persecution many years ago. Others believe the Navait descended from Saudi migrants more than 1000 years ago, from ancient Yemeni sailors, or have blood ties to Persian merchants. Even their current coastal locations spanning beyond India into Pakistan and Sri Lanka attest to the scattering. In any case, the Navait have a connection to an ancient Arab diaspora, clearly shown by their skin, their surnames, their language, and their religion, Sunni Islam. No one, not even the families of economic migrants who have disappeared in the Middle East, seems to know if the missing have been kidnapped or joined a terrorist organization. No one, none of the thousands of Navait, seems to know the truth … or the Truth.

Pray that the Navait people will encounter Jesus as Truth.—LR

69 Day 19 Revelation 21:23-24, NIV Mawalud People

The city does not need the hat do you get sun or the moon to shine on when you mix it, for the glory of God gives WArabic learning with it light, and the Lamb is its Hindu elements on lamp. The nations will walk the Deccan Plateau of

by its light, and the kings International Create central India? You get caste Islam, the Islam of the earth will bring their of the Mawalud people. They number some 223,000, splendor into it. and among them there are no known followers of Muslims understand that Christ. You also get bitterness over “Freedom at there will be a resurrection, Midnight,” when at midnight Pakistan became an a day of judgment, and independent Muslim state, and the Malawud lost a glorious eternity. Given status under a Hindu-dominant Indian government. their jaded view of God’s From the 12th to the 17th century, the Mawaluds character, that glory is were the center of Arabic learning. Early in the tarnished. There must be 18th century under the British, the Deccan region some among them who resumed being a center of South Asian power. want more! Pray for the But with independence, many elites were reduced Mawalud people to seek and to skilled labor and many moved from India to find truth and light. Pakistan. Thus the bitterness over lost status. All that was left was “mosque and family” situations in which household shrines honor Muslim saints. Islamic mysticism is a large part of their lives. So, too, are the fine arts, poetry, and religious music. Islam is an important cultural, but not a particularly spiritual, identification marker for these people who live in predominantly Hindu India. They speak Urdu and the Bible and other resources are available in that major language, so they have access to the truth.

Pray that Indian missionaries from a Muslim cultural background will evangelize the Mawaluds, making wise use of available resources. Pray for a spiritual breakthrough. May Christian art and music open them to the gospel.—TP

70 Day 20 Sunri People Exodus 30:8, NIV

esterday’s prayer focus was He must burn incense on a group of Hindu-ized again when he lights MuslimsY who lost status when Arabian Bay of the lamps at twilight so Bengal Sea India became independent from incense will burn regularly Britain. Today’s people group before the Lord for the is divided between Islam and generations to come. Uttaranchal CHINA Hinduism. Although most of

NEPAL Kathmandu BHUTAN this north Indian people of In the Old Testament, Uttar Pradesh 895,000 are Muslim, some Bihar incense was used as a BANG. Jharkhand West Bengal are Hindu and .01 percent are fragrant offering to the Kolkotta Chhattisgarh Christian. Most live in West Lord. But the act of lighting Bay of Bengal Bengal and Bihar though some it also brought the priests have migrated to the southern into contact with a holy light. states that we are praying for this month. They have Pray for the Sunri people an interesting story. to recognize their need to This people was divided under the British when please God by seeking His they ruled South Asia. The British elevated one light. Pray for their blessings group of Sunris into a higher caste, and the others for generations to come. were reduced to a lower, Dalit caste. This has caused bitterness, because the Dalits are often discriminated against by other Sunris in business dealings. The national Indian government has not rectified this situation. The Sunris engage in fishing, farming, and trade, and work as household domestics. The Sunri are a least reached people whom the Joshua Project believes might be reachable by Christian Dalits. Yet turning their allegiance to Christ can bring persecution. There are Christian resources available: the audio Bible, the Bible online, and print Bibles in Bengali and Bihari. There is also the JESUS Film and other Christian films available on Indigitube.tv.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will turn the hearts of the Sunris to Jesus, their only hope for salvation. Pray that the resources they have will be used to produce disciples who glorify Christ.—TP 71 Day 21 Luke 10:18, NIV

He replied, “I saw Satan fall ajput has been used as an like lightning from heaven.” umbrella term to define Rvarious warrior communities

Arabian Bay of Jesus briefly reminds us in Sea Bengal in medieval India. There is this verse that on our planet, still great pride for all Rajputs we have an adversary, the in their historical role as rulers devil, who comes to kill, in ancient India. The Rajput Andhra steal, and destroy. But Jesus Pradesh warriors fought valiantly Himself came as the light Karnataka to thwart the efforts of the to show us the way. Pray Islamic invasion of the country. Bangalore for Muslim communities to Tamil For the most part they were look to Jesus as their only Nadu successful; but some of them protector from Satan and the converted to Islam, and today only source of light. there are Muslim Rajputs throughout India. Many reside in Karnataka state in southern India. Bangalore, the capital, also known as the Silicon Valley of India, is home to some of the more wealthy and prominent Muslim Rajputs. There are far more Hindu Rajputs than Muslim Rajputs, but evangelists have found those with an Islamic background are more responsive to the gospel than their Hindu counterparts. The Muslim Rajputs are not strictly vegetarian, but do incorporate some meat into their diets. Their practice of Islam is influenced by the predominantly Hindu society, especially in conjunction with festivals and celebrations. It is not unusual for a Muslim Rajput to marry a Hindu Rajput, so clan and the caste seem to take precedence over their religious affiliation.

Pray for opportunities to arise for followers of Christ to meet, socialize, and witness to the Muslim Rajputs that they work with or live alongside. Pray that belief in Jesus Christ will unite them just as Jews and Gentiles were united in Christ under the Apostle Paul’s teaching.—JS

72 Day 22 Muslim Sikligars Ephesians 5:13, NIV

f you were a soldier facing But everything exposed certain defeat, capture, and by the light becomes probableI death, what would Arabian Bay of visible—and everything Bengal Sea you do? It is said that certain that is illuminated becomes Rajput soldiers hundreds of years a light. ago facing such a grim future NEPAL Uttar Pradesh disguised themselves by taking Varanasi Exposure: That is what Bihar up a different occupation. They light does. When we stand Jharkhand West also converted to Islam, making before the Lord, there will Bengal Chhattisgarh them different than Sikh and be nothing that will not be Odisha Bay of Bengal Hindu members of the Sikligar exposed, but not all will blacksmith community. Is this result in judgment. Pray that true? We will never know for the Sikligar communities sure, but that is what Muslim will seek the One who can Sikligars say about themselves. prevent them from being It may seem a very narrow and specific occupation, judged on the day the Lord but they are best known as polishers of metal, of light exposes their deeds. especially fine swords. When not at war, the Sikligars fashioned agricultural implements, such as spades, sickles, sieves, and iron baskets. They still follow this tradition today. They often live on the outskirts of farming communities in mud huts. Many are nomads, traveling from village to village selling their wares and their blacksmithing skills. They are still engaged in the manufacture of swords, knives, and daggers. Most Sikligars are Hindu, though there are some Sikhs. However, in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal they are primarily Muslims, and some of them have migrated to India’s southern states.

Because of their nomadic lifestyle, it can be difficult to establish meaningful relationships with the Sikligars; so pray for God to arrange divine appointments of Muslim Sikligars with those who love and obey Jesus Christ. Pray for Sikligars to hear and respond to the pleas of Jesus to come to him.—JS 73 Day 23 Luke 5:19, NIV Muslim Chapparaband People

When they could not find he Muslim Chapparaband people in India are a way to do this because of very few and very close-knit, marrying within the crowd, they went up Ttheir own communities. There are only about 3000 on the roof and lowered living in Karnataka state and 1900 in Maharashtra. him on his mat through One characteristic that sets them apart from their the tiles into the middle neighbors is the dress of the male children. Until of the crowd, right in front the age of five, Chapparaband little boys wear only a of Jesus. shirt that does not cover their legs. At five, they are taken to a place where certain rites are performed, The Chapparaband people and the Chapparaband “infant” becomes a “child” might groan when they and is given a new garment. hear this verse. So much Their name means “constructor of roof.” destruction to the tiles and Traditionally, they made roofs of rope and hatch other materials that made made from Indian willow plants. With the advent the roof solid! The people of more modern roofs, their trade was no longer who did this were likely needed, leaving many in poverty. disruptive to the assembly, but they had faith that the Today the Muslim Chapparaband are not necessarily one who said He is the “light stigmatized by poverty. Many are well educated and of the world” could heal have professional careers. Just as the rest of the world their friend. Pray for the is quickly developing and embracing technology, so Chapparaband people to is India. Education and the opportunities it affords have the kind of faith that offer the Chapparaband people a way to improve will lead to audacious action. their lives. They speak Urdu, so there are multiple printed as well as video sources available in their language, telling them about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pray that these former roofers will look up to their Lord and Savior who loves them and died for them. Pray for rapidly spreading church movements among them.—JS

74 Day 24 Muslim People John 6:35, NIV

nd one night they both dreamed—the Then Jesus declared, “I am cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, the bread of life. Whoever who“A were confined in the prison—each his own comes to me will never dream, and each dream with its own interpretation.” go hungry, and whoever (Genesis 40:5, ESV) believes in me will never A community known for baking breads called naan, be thirsty.” the Nanbai people of South Asia number in the thousands. Though most are Hindu, this month we People who make bread are praying for the Sunni Muslims among them. or any other food for a Most live in the northern Indian state of Uttar living probably understand Pradesh, but some live in South India. Many have what Jesus is saying. He migrated to Pakistan. is an essential spiritual provision for all of us just The word Nanbai comes from the as food is for the body. Pray meaning “baker.” Most likely these expert naan that the Nanbai people, be makers originated from families of cooks that they Hindu or Muslim, will served in the northern Indian courts of Muslim understand that Jesus is rulers. Today, most Nanbai still work as bakers and essential for our spiritual cooks. Some also run tea stalls, while others do lives, and His light is rickshaw pulling. essential for directing us on The Nanbai are in great need of being reached for the right path. Jesus. This isolated group can only marry within their own communities. Among the Muslim Nanbais, the primary language is Urdu, for which a variety of Christ-centered materials are available including the Bible in print and online.

Jesus offers Himself as the true and living bread of life to the Nanbai. Ask God to give dreams and visions that penetrate Nanbai hearts. Pray that Bibles, gospel recordings, and Christian materials make their way into Nanbai homes. Pray that the light of Christ would reveal to the Nanbai not the favor of an earthly king, but the supremacy of the king of kings.—CR

75 Day 25 2 Samuel 23:4, NIV Maldivians in the Maldive Islands

…he is like the light of icture a tropical island morning at sunrise on a paradise: turquoise lagoons cloudless morning, like the Pwith crystal water lapping at brightness after rain that coral sand beaches lined by brings grass from the earth. coconut palms. Maldivians live in such a beautiful setting Have you ever looked over A Maldivian woman year-round. Of the Maldives’ the ocean on a bright, sunny nearly 1200 small islands, fewer day? The light can be so than 200 have permanent residents, with an average bright that it forces you to population of under 900. Villagers in outer islands shut your eyes, only to see typically sustain themselves through fishing, coconut darkness. Pray that the gathering, and small-scale community agriculture. Maldivians will become tired The capital, Male’, however, is one of the most densely of darkness and seek light. populated cities in the world. About 40 percent of the nation’s 340,000 Maldivians crowd into Male’ looking for educational and employment opportunities, alongside some 100,000 migrant workers. Lack of space and privacy leads to social problems including child and spousal abuse. This contributes to one of the globe’s highest divorce rates. Facing a scarcity of jobs, youths get drawn into gangs and rampant drug abuse. More recently, the call of extremist Islam has lured scores of Maldivians to pursue jihad in the Middle East (see lead article). A minority of Divehi speakers express growing disillusionment with Islam through anonymous blogs. Practice of any faith but Islam is illegal, and truth- seekers face both media censorship and social hostility.

Pray for God’s peace for the few scattered believers, shackled by a culture of duplicity, mistrust, and betrayal. The Maldivian language, Divehi, is the only national language without a complete translation of the Bible. Pray for rapid accurate checking of the remaining draft of Scripture portions, and widespread use of passages currently available via an Android app.—AL, guest writer

76 Day 26 in the Maldives Exodus 13:21, NIV

he Gujarati originate from western India, but By day the LORD went a diaspora has scattered them to 25 countries ahead of them in a pillar aroundT the world. Around 900 of them live in the of cloud to guide them on Maldives. Their primary language is Gujarati, though their way and by night in most learn Divehi, the local language. a pillar of fire to give them The state of sports a long coastline and many light, so that they could harbors. The locals are experienced in travel and the travel by day or night. business of the sea. Therefore, these people have an advantage when moving to an archipelago such as the Pray that wherever the Maldives. Their commercial inclination attributes to Gujarati diaspora moves, their being successful businessmen wherever they go. that there will be the light of Christ. While most Gujarati all over the world are Hindus, the ones in the Maldives are Muslim. They are usually Sunni Muslims and they despise the Hindu Gujarati for worshipping a multiplicity of gods. There is no dedicated missionary agency focused on the Muslim Gujaratis in the Maldives, partly because there are so few of them there. But mission efforts are not allowed among any people group in this Muslim- dominated country. The Bible is available in Gujarati, but someone needs to bring the Word to them.

Pray for the Gujarati Muslims to find the Scriptures online. Pray for God to send His children to bring the Bible to life for the in the Maldives. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the Gujaratis to the deceptions they have been taught, and to find the truth in the Lord Jesus Christ.—CMW

77 Day 27 Isaiah 5:20, NIV Bangladeshis in the Maldives

Woe to those who call evil ooking at a picture good and good evil, who of the Maldives put darkness for light and Lon the website of the light for darkness, who put Maldives Tourism bitter for sweet and sweet Board, you would for bitter. think it was heaven on Beaches become half-truths earth. Each small island This verse is often used today in the archipelago is to describe the corrupted surrounded by beautiful West, where secularism glass-blue water. The weather is warm all year long. and Bible-less principles “Sumon” is a Bangladeshi who could not find work in are becoming dominant. India. He met an “agent” who promised him work But it can also apply to the at an exclusive resort on the Maldives. Sumon paid rest of the world, including the corrupt agent $2,500 to get him to the island. places where Bengalis live, Once at his new place of employment, however, like the Maldives. Pray Sumon realized that the rosy picture which the that as Bengalis travel the agent had depicted was a half-truth. The half which world looking for livelihood was true applied to the tourists, who came for the that they will discern the beaches. But for the workers, the situation isn’t even difference between spiritual humane. Sumon lives in a ghetto of cramped tents darkness and light. behind the hotel. A journalist who filmed the living quarters described the Bangladeshis as being treated like cattle. Sumon’s 14-hour work days earn him a purported $150 a month. If his employer decides that business has been bad, Sumon does not receive his salary. Sumon has tried calling his broker, but the phone calls go unanswered. Now Sumon has lost weight and resembles other emaciated laborers at his hotel. Some 75,000 Muslim Bangladeshi workers live in the Maldives.

Pray that God will send believers who will advocate for better treatment for this people group. Pray for someone to tell the Bangladeshis about the true heaven.—CMW

78 Day 28 Eastern in Sri Lanka Revelation 22:5, NIV

(This is a story that illustrates There will be no more night. what this people group is They will not need the light experiencing.) of a lamp or the light of the Arabian Bay of Bengal Sea onaar, what are we sun, for the Lord God will going to do? The heat give them light. And they is“K ruining our rice crop. How will reign for ever and ever. INDIA can we live here in Sri Lanka Ja na without a way to provide for our Imagine the hope this would SRI LANKA families?” Horram, an Eastern give people who struggle to earn a basic living! There Colombo Baloch, was deeply troubled by another crop failure. Konaar will be a better tomorrow replied, “Horram, we must live in for those who believe. Pray Sri Lanka; we cannot return to for the gift of faith for the Balochistan. The Pakistani military continues to crush Baloch people in Sri Lanka our people through arrests, torture, and killing. Every and Pakistan. day more people are moving into our Baloch cities and taking jobs from our people.” The Eastern Baloch is part of much larger Baloch peoples whose homeland (Balochistan) includes areas of southwestern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the southeast corner of the Iranian Plateau. The ongoing political upheaval and war between the Pakistani military and the Baloch people in Pakistan’s Baloch Province has been going on for years causing some Baloch to migrate to other places like Sri Lanka. Today about 900 Muslim Baloch live in Sri Lanka where the majority of its people are Buddhist or Hindu. There are a small number of Christians.

Pray that these Baloch people in Sri Lanka will be open to Christ’s followers and come to know Jesus as the living Lord who can bring them true spiritual peace. Pray for a church planting movement among the Baloch people to begin in Sri Lanka.—PD

79 Day 29 Ecclesiastes 2:13, NIV Javar Malay People in Sri Lanka

I saw that wisdom is better ere is a variation of the saying, “If you can’t than folly, just as light is beat them, join them.” The Muslim Javar better than darkness. HMalay people didn’t come recently to Sri Lanka; they came from the island of Java roughly 300 years ago Part of wisdom is discerning as soldiers to defend the interests of Dutch colonists. what to believe and what to These soldiers came in direct conflict with the British, discard. As Muslims, the Javar who eventually took Sri Lanka from the Dutch. The Malay believe that they can Javar Malay lost the battle with the British, but they earn their way to paradise won their respect. The British organized a Malay by following the ways of regiment in Sri Lanka, so they continued as soldiers. the Qur’an. But one with discerning wisdom would Today most of the 69,000 Javar Malay people are understand that God’s ways bilingual, speaking their own language, Malay are so far above our ways Creole, and one of the main languages of Sri that no one can ever make Lankan people, Sinhalese or Tamil. A number of demands on the Almighty. Javar Malay young people have achieved a higher Pray for them to discern education and work in the areas of education, spiritual truth from error. medicine, engineering, and the armed forces on the island. Some Javar Malay have made their fortunes in business. All Malay subgroups including the Javar Malays are strong adherents to Islam. Although they warmly receive visitors, they reject efforts of Christians to discuss the Bible. Christian media ministries, the JESUS Film, and Christian Bible radio programs are all available in Sri Lanka.

Pray for the Javar Malay people to eagerly find these resources. May they be open to the saving grace of his word. Pray that God will send prepared missionaries to reach these Malay people so that there can be a disciple- making movement among them.—PD

80 Day 30 Radio Life India Jeremiah 13:16, NIV

ary, an American intercessor for Pastor Jamil Give glory to the LORD your Thomas’ radio ministry in India eagerly God before He brings the openedM his letter to read to her friend, Alyssa, also darkness, before your feet a prayer supporter. The letter stated, “We are so stumble on the darkening humble to the Lord who opened the new ways of hills. You hope for light, preaching in Pakistan and all over the world. God is but he will turn it to utter blessing us and gradually Radio LIFE has a bigger darkness and change it to audience in Pakistan that can listen the gospel deep gloom. messages and Bible Readings in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Hindi, Pashto, and Arabic languages. We It is encouraging to know have posted 40 Urdu, 10 Hindi, and six Sindhi that unreached people Bibles to listeners who requested a free copy of the groups in South Asia have Bible. Amazingly, 95 percent of the people we heard the chance to hear of the from were non-Christians from different religious Lord from radio broadcasts. backgrounds. We are now being heard in Nigeria, But what about those who Africa. Please keep us in your prayers; your prayers refuse to believe? Pray for are essential to uplift and sustain Radio LIFE in the people who are hearing Pakistan. Your prayers will move more hearts and these broadcasts to have souls to accept Lord Jesus Christ.” the gift of faith in what they LIFE radio ministry is currently broadcasting 14 hear so they can enjoy light hours of English language programs and 10 hours rather than endure darkness. of Urdu, Sindhi, Hindi, Arabic, Pashto, and Punjabi programs weekly. More than two billion people can hear these programs in India, Pakistan, , Australia, and the United States. Many people in some of these countries, especially India, have never heard the gospel.

Pray that God will give His direction to Pastor Thomas and his staff so they can continue this vital work for the Lord’s kingdom.—PD

81 Day 31 Psalm 89:15, NIV Narikuravar People and GRN

Blessed are those who arthik lives in a remote village in Tamil Nadu, have learned to acclaim South India. He writes, “I and my family are you, who walk in the light Kidols worshippers. We hunt rabbits, foxes, cats, and of your presence, LORD. squirrels to make our daily wage. We move from place to place. Occasionally all of our people meet As GRN materials become together for a few days in a remote village. When available to people groups I arrived, someone called me for a gathering. They like the Narikuravar people, had a machine that played audio sounds. To my pray that others will have surprise, it spoke in our mother tongue, Narikuravar. the opportunity to learn to It was the first time I had ever listened to our words acclaim Him and walk in through the audio. As I listened, some words caught His light. hold of me. I found out there is only one God who created everything. I was thinking, “Who is He?” as the audio kept on playing. At some point I came to the realization that Jesus is the real God. He died for our sins. He loves us. I threw out the idols that had never done anything for me.” Global Recordings Network (GRN) produced the recordings. A national church teamed up to get the recordings to the Narikuravar. They plan to reach 60 villages over a six-month period. They also plan follow up visits and will provide progress reports once in a quarter.

Pray for many more Narikuravar speakers to come to the Lord as they listen to the gospel message in their own language.—Allan Starling, GRN

82 WILLIAM CAREY LIBRARY

Vietnam’s Christians

In 1975, Vietnam, united under communism, Vietnam’s Christians A Century of Growthfell behind in a bamboo Adversity curtain. Many feared the worst for churches there. But fifteen years later, churches, especially among Vietnam’s ethnic minority mountain peoples, suddenly exploded in In 1975, Vietnam,number and united vitality. under

Vietnam’s At last the secret is out! For too long the story of the astonishing growth of communism,the Vietnamese church fell has behind lain unknown, underreported, a bamboo or even ignored. Yet it is one of modern Christianity’s most encouraging triumphs. Reg Reimer curtain.has doneMany the worldwide feared body of Christ the a huge worst favour in giving for us the first Christians definitive account of the progress of the gospel in Vietnam. Comprehensive and scholarly, nuanced and inspirational, this book deserves to become a churchesmodern there.missions classic. But It will challenge fifteen and change years all who read it. Dr. Ron Boyd-MacMillan later, churches, especiallyChief Strategy among Officer, Open Doors International A Century of Author of Faith that Endures: The Essential Guide to the Persecuted Church! Growth in Adversity Vietnam’sI call the author ethnic of this book minority my “older brother.” Reg mountain Reimer, a lifelong missionary to my native Vietnam, helped launch my international ministry in peoples,a moving suddenly event described in theseexploded pages and has beenin a great encourager to me ever since. I know of no better source to find such a moving summary numberof the andheroic missionary vitality. beginnings and of the explosive growth of churches after missionaries left Vietnam than this remarkable book. Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the “Napalm Girl” President, Kim Foundation International Reg Reimer (MA, Fuller Renowned worldwide speaker Reg Reimer (MA, Fuller Theological Seminary) has served the kingdom of God in many Theologicalcapacities around the world,Seminary) but describes himself foremost has as a missionaryserved to Vietnam. After forty-five years of deep involvement there, he has become the acknowledged authority the kingdomon Protestants in that enigmaticof God country. He has in reported many much on Vietnam, but, as the situation required, anonymously—until now. capacities around the world, but Reime describes himself foremost as a R missionarywww.missionbooks.org to Vietnam. After forty- ReG ReimeR five REIMERyears Cover 1 R3.indd of 1 deep involvement there, 5/23/11 3:41:43 PM he has become the acknowledged authority on Protestants in that enigmatic country. He has reported much on Vietnam, but, as the situation required, anonymously – until now.

ISBN: 9780878083046 List Price: $12.99 Reg Reimer (Author) Our Price: $10.39 WCL | Pages 144 | Paperback 2011

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